The Ledger Nano S is one of the most trusted entry‑level Ledger Hardware Wallets. Designed for users who want to secure multiple cryptocurrencies safely without the additional complexity of wireless connectivity, it offers strong protection for private keys, seed recovery, and transaction verification. Whether you are storing Bitcoin, Ethereum, or numerous tokens, Nano S keeps your assets offline and verifiable.
Many of its core principles align with those seen in tools like Trezor Suite and flows such as Trezor.io/start. However, Ledger Nano S emphasizes USB‑only connectivity, device authenticity checks, and compact design rather than touchscreen or Bluetooth features.
The Nano S includes a secure chip (CC EAL5+ certified), a monochrome OLED display (~128×32 pixels), two physical buttons for navigation and confirmation, and durable build materials combining stainless steel and plastic. It connects via micro‑USB. This design ensures that even if your computer is compromised, the device remains secure.
Supports hundreds to thousands of cryptocurrencies: from Bitcoin, Ethereum, and ERC‑20 tokens, to other altcoins. While it can only hold a few applications at once (due to limited memory), Ledger Live allows you to install/uninstall apps without losing your stored crypto data. Many users contrast this with Trezor Hardware Wallets which use Trezor Suite for similar multi‑asset support.
On first use, you generate a seed phrase (12/18/24 words), set a PIN, optionally enable passphrase features. Firmware updates are critical—they bring security patches and new compatibility. Without updates, you risk missing important protections.
Every transaction request is shown on the device screen: address, amount, fees. You must physically confirm via both buttons. This is the same expectation in Trezor’s flows (via Trezor Bridge or via Trezor Login) – confirmation on device is non‑negotiable.
Download the Ledger Live app from Ledger.com/Start. Install, connect your Nano S, choose to initialize as new device or restore existing seed. Follow prompts: set PIN, write down recovery seed, confirm.
Because Nano S has limited storage, you may need to uninstall and reinstall apps for cryptocurrencies as you shift usage. Ledger Live ensures that uninstalling an app does not delete your crypto holdings—just the app code. Compare this with Trezor hardware routines under Trezor Suite, where similar app/module management may be required.
Use Ledger Live (desktop/mobile) to manage your addresses. Connect Nano S via USB. When a transaction is initiated, details appear on screen: you verify on the device before approval. Always double check destination addresses. This also protects against malicious software spoofing. Trezor suite + Trezor Bridge also require similar on‑device confirmations.
Ledger Nano S includes strong safety features: Secure Element, isolated OS (BOLOS), PIN protection, recovery seed backup. All this aligns with best practices in security for hardware wallets. Many comparisons with Trezor show that both offer strong protections, though implementation details differ. For instance, Trezor uses Trezor Bridge and open source components; Ledger uses closed components in some parts + its Secure Element.
Memory/storage is more limited on Nano S than on premium Ledger models or Trezor Model T, but security level is still very high. The trade‑off is between convenience vs hardware simplicity.